Spring Break
The Daily OrangeCampus mourns loss of 'caring' anthropology professor
By Bethany Bump
Posted: 11/18/08, 1:05 AM EST Section: News
Justin Worst, a junior anthropology and history major who had Freedman for three classes during the last two years, said he knew Freedman had been sick, but he was shocked to hear of his professor's death. He said Freedman's entertaining sense of humor is what always stood out to him.
"Somehow, in all three classes I took with him, there would always be one day where he would randomly start speaking in Swahili," Worst said. "His was the first class I ever took at Syracuse, and I really looked forward to every day that I had him."
Before Freedman died, he received a letter from a former teaching assistant of his. The letter - read to Freedman shortly before he died - told of his role in his assistant's life and many others.
Svetlana Peshkova, a visiting assistant professor of religion and the teaching assistant who wrote the letter, said she choked up when she first heard of his death.
"He was my professor, he was my mentor, he was a friend," Peshkova said. "He helped me in a number of ways, whether it be learning how to be a better teacher or learning to be a better human being."
Freedman helped Peshkova with her dissertation while she worked under him.
"We talked about life and families and work, about teaching anthropology. We talked about his dog," she said with a laugh.
Peshkova said Freedman loved his dog.
Freedman had a beagle named Charlie and a big Doberman named Jessie. Wadley and fellow anthropology professors recalled them coming to school with Freedman every day, until one passed away. Freedman continued to bring his remaining dog with him, though. Wadley said the dog was always by his side, even at the office.
"He was a very caring individual," Peshkova said. "There are people who can be professors, then there are people who can be mentors. He was a mentor. There are people who can be disciples. He taught us all kinds of stuff, all kinds of wisdom, about life and politics and love."
"It's really hard for me to talk about," she said, barely getting her words out. "We lost a human being, a wonderful human being. That's all I can say."
blbump@syr.edu
"Somehow, in all three classes I took with him, there would always be one day where he would randomly start speaking in Swahili," Worst said. "His was the first class I ever took at Syracuse, and I really looked forward to every day that I had him."
Before Freedman died, he received a letter from a former teaching assistant of his. The letter - read to Freedman shortly before he died - told of his role in his assistant's life and many others.
Svetlana Peshkova, a visiting assistant professor of religion and the teaching assistant who wrote the letter, said she choked up when she first heard of his death.
"He was my professor, he was my mentor, he was a friend," Peshkova said. "He helped me in a number of ways, whether it be learning how to be a better teacher or learning to be a better human being."
Freedman helped Peshkova with her dissertation while she worked under him.
"We talked about life and families and work, about teaching anthropology. We talked about his dog," she said with a laugh.
Peshkova said Freedman loved his dog.
Freedman had a beagle named Charlie and a big Doberman named Jessie. Wadley and fellow anthropology professors recalled them coming to school with Freedman every day, until one passed away. Freedman continued to bring his remaining dog with him, though. Wadley said the dog was always by his side, even at the office.
"He was a very caring individual," Peshkova said. "There are people who can be professors, then there are people who can be mentors. He was a mentor. There are people who can be disciples. He taught us all kinds of stuff, all kinds of wisdom, about life and politics and love."
"It's really hard for me to talk about," she said, barely getting her words out. "We lost a human being, a wonderful human being. That's all I can say."
blbump@syr.edu
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
Gary Spencer
posted 11/18/08 @ 5:04 AM EST
I am very saddened to learn of the death of my former colleague and long time friend, Mike Freedman. Mike loved students, SU, his friends and his family. (Continued…)
Chandice Haste-Jackson
posted 11/18/08 @ 7:57 PM EST
So very sad to hear of Dr. Freedman's passing. He was an outstanding mentor with an uncanny sense of humor. He challenged me to 'slow down and speak the language of the people'in his anthro of family life course some 15 years ago. (Continued…)
HR Dewey
posted 12/06/08 @ 12:12 AM EST
We've lost one of the marvelous teachers and mentors that has made Maxwell such a special place. My thoughts are with all of those who share in the sadness of his passing and richness of having encountered Dr. (Continued…)
Post a Comment